Igniter.



A. B. HERRIOK.

Paten'td Oct. 6, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MI H

STATES onnrcn.

ALBERT B. HERRICK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORTO MATIE G. MESSLEB, OF PAWTUGKET, RHODE ISLAND.

' IGNITER.

Specification 0t Lettgrs Patent.

' Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

Application filedlovember 3D, 1912. SeriaLNo. 734,343.

Taall whom/it may concern Be it known that I, ALBER'I" B. HERRIGK,

a, citizen of the United States, and a resi dent of New York, county of New. York,

and State of New York, have invented. a.-

principle, so as to-distlnguish it from otherinventions.

The subject of the present invention is a new and improved induction coil which is particularly adapted for use in an igniter.

The device consists, in general terms, of a plurality of magnets, a plurality of induction coils and means for reversing the direction ofthe magnetic flux through the induc-' tion coils.

In particular, .the device consists of a: pluralitv of induction coils, a plurality of magnets and an armature which normally connects up each of the magnets withz one of the induction coils, thus forming two separate closed circuits. The magnets, the coils and the armature are so formed. that when thea-rmature is operated it breaks the two circuits previously formed and connectsup each of the magnets with thecoil with whi it was not previously in circuit. Furthermore, the magnets are so disposed that theshifting of the circuits produces a reversal of thedirection of. the magneticfiuxfin. each.

coil.

The device is particularly adapted foriuse in gas" engines to taketheplace of'the-prres-t ent spark plug and magneto or battery. It is self-contained and is automatically op-' erated bythe compression in. the engine: cyl-- inder. The-device is not limited to; the

adaptation here described, and. other uses in the art. 1

will readily-suggest themselves to one skilled.-

.The annexed drawings and the followingdescription set forth I in detail certainimechae nismembodying the invention, suchisidis closed: means constituting, howevembut oneof various mechanical: forms m- WhlChi the principle of the invention may be useda In said annexed drawings Figure is a central vertical section through my device asconstructed with a spark plug; Fig. 2 is nets; Fig. 3 is. a plan view of the casing showing. the means for advancing the spark and for manually operating the mechanism; F1g.. 4="-.is-a view' in perspective of the preferred form of armature; Fig. .5 is a section position: of the armature when: in its lower positiong-Fig. 6 isa view on the line 66 in Fig. 2. showingthearmature in its upper position; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the electrical connections.

In Fig. l'thereis shown a spark plug 1 4 there is suitably mounted a base 5 upon which will be mounted the magnets and the induction coils. Between the base member 5: and-the flange 4' there is mounted a diaphragm. 6 which is attached to a rod 7 atf'tached to anarmature member 8, the rod 7 on the line-5.5 in Fig. 2, showing also the 3. plan view showing the coils and the magwhich" is threaded at 2 adapting it to enter extending through the chamber,3 and be- 1 mg provided wlth a terminal. 9 which adapted tocoii'perate with aterminal-1O n;-

tached-tothe spark plug proper. The terminals: hand 10- correspond to' the usual spark plug terminals as will be readily seen. The rods? is made u of an: insulating material, surrounding t e wire (not shown), which connects theterminal 9 with the. induction coil, and a metal: sleeve surrounding the-insulating material which is preferably porcelain, for the purpose of strengthening it: and giving. greater rigidity; Upon the basemember 5 there are=mounted two preferably, laminated magnets 11 and l2and two induction coils 13 and 14-. Each induction coil: consists ofafsoft iron core 15, consisting-of anumber of-short plates of iron wire provided at either endwith plates 16and 17, and; a high tension: secondany coil 19.

The construction ofi thearniature-is shown in Fig..4,= audit will be: seen that it consists .of arcentral: rod-8,: at either-end of which tary contact faces formed on the magnets and plates attached to the coils.

Referring to Fig. 2 it will be noticed that the top of the coil 13 is provided with a downwardly beveled contact face 24 and with an upwardly beveled contact face 25. Similarly the adjacent magnet 12 is formed with a contact face 26 corresponding to the contact face 24 of the coil, and adjacent thereto, and with a contact face 27 corresponding to the contact face on the coil. The magnets 11 and 14 are formed with contact faces 28, 29, 30 and 31, which are disposed as are the contact faces on the other magnet andcoil. The contact faces which are formed on; the magnets and coils are identical for the top and bottom portions,

that is, for each contact face shownin Fig.

2 there will be a similarly disposed, and parallel contact face on the bottom of the coil or magnet. The magnets and coils are disposed in a quadrilateral as shown in Fig. 2, the magnets being disposed diagonally opposite each other and having their magnetically opposite poles disposed adjacent each other, that is, the north pole of the magnet 11 will be at the top of the same, as indicated by the letter N, and the south pole of the magnet 12 will be at the top, as

indicated by the letter S, thus being adjacent I the north pole of the magnet 11, reducing to a minimum the leakage from the magnets. The relative disposition of magnets and coils is a matter of small importance,

as the armature can be constructed to suitably cooperate with practically any desired arrangement. of coils and magnets, the present arrangement being preferred by reason of its simplicity;

When the armature is in the position shown in Fig; 5, that is its normal or lower position, the keepers 21 will engage the contact faces 24 and 26 on the coil '13 and the magnet 12. This will produce a magnetic flux through the induction coil 13 in a clockwise direction when looking at the magnetv and coil from the viewpoint taken in Fig. 5!

Also the keeper 23 will similarly connect the lower contact faces on the coil 13 and the magnet 12, since the contact faces at the bottomof these parts are I parallel with the upper correspondingly disposed faces. Similarly, the other ends of the keepers 21 and 23 will engage the contact faces 29. and 302911 the magnet 11 and the coil 14, and the corresponding faces on the bottom of these members, thus producing a second closed magnetic circuit, the direction of the magnetic flux being through the coil 14 in a clockwise direction. An electrical current is thus-induced in the coil 14 and in the coil 13.

Upon raising the armature the keepers 21 and 23 are removed from engagement With the contacts 24, 26, 29and 80, thus breaking the magnetic circuits which have previously been described. Simultaneously with the breaking of these circuits, or substantially so, new magnetic circuits will be formed by means of the keepers 20 and 22, the keeper 20 engaging the contacts 25 and 28 on the coil 13 and the magnet 11, respectively, and the contacts 27 and 30 on the magnet 12 and the coil 14, respectively. In this way two new closed magnetic circuits are formed, the direction of the magnetic flux being in a clockwise direction when looking at the coil and magnet from the viewpoint taken in Fig. 6. This reverses the direction of the magnetic flux through the coil 13. Similarly a new magnetic circuit is formed through the magnet 12 and the coil 14, the

direction of the flux being parallel to that in the previously described clrcuit, thus also reversing the direction of the magnetic flux through'the coil 14. By breaking the circuits in four places a very fast breaking speed is secured, and by reversing the direction ofthe magnetic flux through the coils atthe same instant a very hot spark is produced at the terminals of the spark plug, since the induced current varies from a positive maximum to a negative maximuml About the coils and magnets I dispose a suitable aluminum casing 40 which is attached to the base member 5 and is provided with a. central aperture on its top in which I introduce a sleeve 41 provided with an inwardly extending shoulder 42. The sleeve 41 is' held in position by means of a cap 43 which. screws onto the same, but will not enter the aperture on the casing. ,Slidably disposed in the sleeve 41 is a rod 44 which ;is provided with a .head or shoulder 45 adapted to slide in the sleeve but of a suflicient diameter to prevent its passing the shoulder 42. Attached to the sleeve 41 is a cam member 46 bearing against a spring 47 in the top of the armature 8. By adjusting the disk on the rod 44 at the proper position the tension on the spring 47 can be adjusted to cause the armature to operate at the desired compression; By means of the spring 47 and the cam 46 it is possible to adjust the mechanism to correspond to slight changes v l arran e operate rapidly at a given'pressure, but is not sufliciently rigid to withstand the combustion pressure in the cylinder. -Byrotatingthe sleeve 41 the cam 6 is rotated, thus forcing down the spring-47 and increasing the pressure against the disk 48. This ressure is of course transmitted to the iaphragm through the armature 8 and the rod 7 Pivotally attached to a lug 50 on the cap t3-is a lever 51 provided with a handle 52 and terminating in a tooth 53 engaging a semicircular rack 54 mounted on the top of the casing, When it is desired to vary the pressure on the diaphragm the handle 52 is rotated, it first being depressed at its right end, thus disengaging the tooth 53 from the rack. When the desired pressure. is secured the handle 52 is returned to its normal position, the tooth 53 then engaging the rack and holding the handle from further movement, thus locking the cam 46 and maintaining the desired pressure. A spring 55 is attached to the leverand to the cap 43. and tends to retain the lever in engagement with the rack. hen it is desired to operate the mechanism in order to start the engine the handle 52 is raised, this'action raising the sleeve 41,

the shoulder 42 on this sleeve engaging the head 45 thus raising the rod 44.- and the armature 8. Since the disk 45 can slide freely within the tube 41, the latter is not moved by-the automatic operation of the device.

vIn the base member 5 I provide a soft metal pad or backing for the diaphragm 6. The diaphragm is first raised into its upper or operated position, the metal ;then being poured against the diaphragm. within the base member 5. The backingis thus made to conform to the diaphragm, but will not in any case interfere with the operation of the diaphragm, as the latter does not engage the pad until it has-operated. \Vhen operated,

however, it is forced against the pad which 1 takes up the great pressure which is produced inthe engine cylinder at the time of firing. Suitable means for cooling the pad may be provided, such for example as apertures 56 in the base 5.

7 My invention can be applied to either high or low tension ignition, the form ofthe coils varying with the desired ignition, but in the present form I have merely shown two high tension secondary coils, as a very hot spark can be secured with such mechanism. A condenser 57 is preferably included in the cir-' cuitbeing connected across the lead wires 58 and 59 from the two secondary coils as shown in Fig. ,7. The construction of the condenser is not of primary importance as any suitable type may be used, but I preferably employ two insulated metal sheets 60 and 61 extending around the coils andmag- :my invention may be employed instead of fthe one explained, changes being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followi ing claims or the equivalent of such stated inets inside of the casing, the two sheets beling insulated by Suitable material such as micanite 62. 1 The features to which I wish to call spe- }cial attention in my invention are the plulrality of magnets and coils providing for a lplurality of magnetic circuits, and the conlstru'ction and disposition of the contact bars on the magnets, coils and armature, these several features making it possible to secure a very intense and rapid spark with a very slight travel of the armature and with but slight loss from those sources which usually detract-from the efiiciency of induction coils of other makes. These features render the invention particularly well suited to-use as an igniter, although this is but one of the uses to. which it may be put. I

Other modes of applying the principle of means be employed. I

I therefore particularly point out an distinctly-claim as my invention 1. The combination of a spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; two magnets and two induction coils attached to said spark plug and arranged symmetrically thereon, said coils being connected to the terminals of said spark plug; a movable member mounted in said spark plug and adapted to be operated by the com pression in the engine cylinder; an armature attached to said movable member (said armas 'ture being adapted, in the normal position of said-member, to connect up said magnets and I said coils in two separate magnetic circuits, 105 said armature, when'said member is oper-- ated, being adapted to connect up each of said magnets with the coil formerlycin magnetic circuit with the other magnet, thereby reversing the direction of the magnetic flux plug, an armature reciprocably mounted to cotiperate with said magnet and induction coil; and a flexible diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and connected to said armature to operate the same, said diaphragm being operable by the compression in the engine cylinder.

3. The combination of a hollow spark plugadapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet and an induction coil -coiiperatively mounted on said spark plug, an armature reciprocably mounted to coiiperate with said magi-i tand induction coil; and a flexible diaphr. gm mounted in said hollow spark plug and connected to -port adapted to contact said diaphragm when operated.

4. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet and an induction tween said coil and magnet, thereby induc coil coiiperatively mounted on saidspark plug, an armature reciprocably mounted to cooperate with said magnet and induction coil; and a flexible diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and connected to said armature to operate the same,'said dia-' phragm being operable by the compression in the engine cylinder; and a soft metal support adapted to contact said diaphragm when operated to support the same against the combustion pressure in said cylinder.

5. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and coil, and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic circuit, said armature when operated, being adapted to varythe magnetic circuit between said coil and magnet, thereby inducing a current in-said coil; a movable'member mounted in said hollow spark plug and adapted to be operated by the compression in the engine cylinder, said member being connected to said armature to operate the same; and tension means adapted tocontrol said movable member, whereby the latter will operate when a predetermined compression is reached.

6. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and coil; and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic circuit, said armature when operated being adapted to'vary the magnetic circuit being a current in said coil; a diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and. adapted to be operated bythe compression in the engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected to said armature to operzfite the same; and tensionmeans adapted to control said diaphragm whereby the latter a will operate when a predetermined compression is reached. v

f 7. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said lplug; an' induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and/coil, and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic circuit, said armature when operated being adapted to vary the magnetic circuit be tween said coil and magnet, thereby inducing a current in said coil; a diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and ada ted to be operated by the compression in tlie engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected to said armature to operate .the same; and adjustable tension means adapted to control said diaphragm whereby the latter willoperate when a predetermined compression is' reached.

8. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an apgrture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and coil, and normally connect ng thesame in a closed magnetic circuit, said armature when operated being 7 adapted to vary the magnetic circuit between said coil and magnet, thereby inducing a current in said coil; a diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and adapted to beoperated by the compression in the engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected to said armature to operate the same; a rod attached to said armature; a disk attached to said rod; resilient means bearing against said disk; and means adapt ed to vary the tension on said resilient means.

9. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted be- 7 tween said magnet and coil, and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic circuit, said armature when operated being adapted to vary the magnetic circuit between said coil and magnet, thereby inducing a current in said coil; a diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and adapted to be operated by the compression in the engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected to said armature to operate the same; a rod attached tosaid armature; a disk attached to said rod; a coiled spring disposed about said rod against said disk; a sleeve rotatably mounted on said rod; a cam attached to said sleeve and bearing against said spring, whereby rotation of said sleeve will vary the tension on said spring.

10. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cyl1nder;a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and coil, and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic circuit, said armature when operated being adapted to vary the magnetic circuit be:- tween said coil and magnet, thereby inducing a current in said coil; a diaphragm the same; a casing mounted about-said magnet and coil, provided with an aperture alined with sald armature; a sleeve rotatably mounted in such aperture in said casing; a rod attached to said armature and slidably entering said sleeve; '2. disk at, tached to said rod; a coiled spring disposed.

about said rod against said disk; and a cam mounted on said sleeve and bearing against said spring, whereby rotation of said sleeve varies the tension on said spring. v 11. The combination of a hollow plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug;

an induction coil mounted on said plug; an

armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and coil, and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic circuit, said armature when operated being adapted to 'vary the magnetic circuit between said coil and magnet, thereby inducing a current in said coil; a diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and adapted to be operated by the compression in t e engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected to said armature to operate the same; a casing mounted about said magnet and coil, provided with an aperture a'lined with said armature; a sleeve rotatably mounted in such aperture in said casing; a rod adjustably attached to said armature and slidably entering said sleeve; a disk attached to said rod; a coiled spring disposed about said rod against said disk; and a cam mounted on said sleeve and bearing against saidspring, whereby rotation of said sleeve varies the tension on said spring. I

1 2. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and cpil, and normally connecting-,the same in a' closed magnetic circuit,'said armature when operated being adapted to vary the magnetic circuit between said coil and magnet, thereby induc-' ing a current in said coil; a diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and adapted to be operatedby thecompression in the engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected'to said armature to operate the same; and means adapted to permit manual operation of said armature.

13. The combination of a hollowspark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said -plug; an induction coil mounted on said I plug; fan armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and coil, and normally 1e enginecylinder, said diaphragm beconnecting the samefin a'closed magnetic,

,dia'phragm; mounted in. said hollow spark plug, and adapted to lie-operated by the compression in the engine cylinder, said diaphragm; being connected toisaid armaturel to operate the same; a rod attached to said armature; and a sleeve attached to said rod with a lost motion connection, whereby operation of said rod will not op erate said sleeve, but operation of said sleeve will operate said rod and armature.

- '14. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction ,coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between said magnet and coil, and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic c1rcu1t, said armature when operated being adapted to vary the magnetic circuit between said coil and magnet, thereby inducing a current in said coil; a flexible diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug, and adapted to be operated by the compression in the engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected to said armature to operate the same; a rod attached to said armature; and provided with a shoulder; a sleeve slidably mounted on such shoulder of said rod and being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage such shoulder on said rod when said sleeve is operated.

15. The combination of a hollow spark plug adapted to enter an aperture in an engine cylinder; a magnet mounted on said plug; an induction coil mounted on said plug; an armature reciprocably mounted between'said magnet and coil, and normally connecting the same in a closed magnetic circuit, said -armature when operated being adapted to vary the magnetic clrcuit between said coil and magnet, thereby 1n 'ducing a current in said coil; a diaphragm mounted in said hollow spark plug and adapted to be operated by the compression in the engine cylinder, said diaphragm being connected to said armature to operate the same;'a casing mounted about said magnet and said coil, and provided with an aperture alined with said armature; a sleeve rotatably and slidably mounted in such aperture-in said casing and provided with an inwardly extending circular shoulder; a rod adjustably' attached to-said armature, said rod slidably fitting within such shoulder on said sleeve; a shoulder on said rod within said sleeve adapted to contact such shoulder on said sleeve upon upward movement of thesame a disk adjustably mounted on said rod a cam attached to said sleeve; a coiled spring and said cam whereby rotation of said sleeve varies the pressure on said diaphragm; a semicircular rack mounted on said casing; a toothed lever pivotally attached to said sleeve and engaging said rack; and a spring normally retaining said lever in engagement with said rack.

Signed by me this 21st day of November, 7

' ALBERT B. HERRICK. i

Attested by- D. T. DAVIES, HORACE B. FAY. 

